The prices for this tree on on Bricklink are insane! I wonder why did Lego make so few? Or maybe I should say, why did they release it in so few sets? Compare it to the other similar style trees:

The large (tall) pine tree 3471 has been in 135 sets.The small (short) pine tree 2435, has been in 60 sets.The fruit tree 3470 has been in 60 sets.

What is wrong with the Cypress Tree? Is it expensive to make? Does it break easily? Does it not look very good in person compared to the other styles? I don't know the answers to these questions, I just know I would love to see it come back!

Agreed. It would be nice to have some more variation in pre-made parts. I think most people tend to favor brick-built trees in their MOCs, but for something like a garden or park, the cypress trees would be a welcome option!

AK_Brickster wrote:Agreed. It would be nice to have some more variation in pre-made parts. I think most people tend to favor brick-built trees in their MOCs, but for something like a garden or park, the cypress trees would be a welcome option!

My thoughts exactly. I use brick-built trees in almost all of my castle MOCs but there are certainly circumstances in which I would love to have Cypress trees (i.e. - lining a path inside of the keep or in, as AK_Brickster said, a park or garden. Something that looks like its tended). I have used one or two of my older brothers' Cypress trees for a similar purpose.

I would like to see more Cypress trees. Or other tree designs for that matter. The white and green ones were especially nice. Personally, I think a field of prefab trees looks rather pretty.

domboy wrote:What is wrong with the Cypress Tree? Is it expensive to make? Does it break easily? Does it not look very good in person compared to the other styles? I don't know the answers to these questions, I just know I would love to see it come back!

I've found they bend easily. Of the two I have, one has a very unsightly curve in it.

If memory serves, the cypress tree mould was one of those, like the original pitchfork mould, that LEGO lost or wore out (or both) a long time ago. That being said, however, I think most fans would be glad to see a new, similar mould. There is plenty of room for a taller, cypress-type tree in our LEGO forests, and the much-lamented cypress was in a class of its own, height-wise. As always, variety is excellent.

They were re-released a number of years ago, for a very brief period. That is when I got my four. They are, by far, my favorite of the premade trees. None of mine are bent or broken. They seem to hold up just as well as the other trees.

Formendacil wrote:If memory serves, the cypress tree mould was one of those, like the original pitchfork mould, that LEGO lost or wore out (or both) a long time ago.

Pretty much-- LEGO stopped making these after a while for reasons unknown-- possibly because they were too expensive, or they were unhappy with their durability. But they remained coveted by fans. Then, in 2001, mostly as a favor to the hobbyist community, LEGO re-released them in an accessory pack of 5 trees, and there was much rejoicing.

The only problem was that there wasn't much life left in the mold-- so after making the initial production run, the mold ran out and they stopped making them. Unfortunately, the production run sold out pretty quickly (about 8 months after release), and fans were quite disappointed to see that it was sold out. They quickly asked what the problem was, and were told more of the story. Many AFOLs were upset, because they didn't act quickly enough, and didn't buy them via S@H when they had the chance.

LEGO made a "mental note" at that point to try and let fans know if something were going to be a limited release in the future. However, that ended up getting them in trouble again (for the OPPOSITE reason) when they told fans that the Maersk Sealand was going to be a limited set, and ended up getting budgeted for a second (and now a third!) production run.

Athos wrote:I've found they bend easily. Of the two I have, one has a very unsightly curve in it.

I think LEGO changed the plastic used for trees somewhere along the line. The "large" pine trees that I have from the 1970's are a much harder plastic than the ones I received later on, and I would guess that the cypress trees are the same. I'm not sure when this change was made, though-- presumably in the late 70's or maybe 1980's?

Anyway, the hard plastic trees maintain their shape VERY well, whereas the softer plastic trees seem to warp a bit more. Many of my cypress trees have a slight bend somewhere in the trunk.

I agree. As a kid (before internet shopping), I only had one of these, and always wished I had a whole forest's worth. The single-piece trees now available are good for variety, but they are barely any taller than a minifigure, which doesn't give a very foresty feel. (Although, I have to add, that I really like the extra-short pine tree). But it would be nice to see the classic tall cypress return.

To bring back and update my old thread, I finally have my very own Cypress tree, and I love it! Lego should definitely recreate the mold for this tree! Hey, they did it for the pitchfork! I got mine by purchasing via Bricklink Lego set 7835 Manual Road Crossing, my most coveted Lego train set from when I was a kid (I never got any trains back then... way out of budget range). And the Cypress tree is one of the big reasons I always wanted this set!